Little S.A. singer proves he is a class act

Updated 2:13 am, Thursday, June 13, 2013

A soft-spoken boy with a big voice isn't about to let obnoxious online remarks bring him down — especially when he has so many positive ones in his virtual corner.

Fans of Sebastien De La Cruz have rallied on social media to support the young mariachi, whose rendition of the national anthem Tuesday at the Spurs game against the Miami Heat set off a flurry of racist tweets criticizing the 11-year-old.

“On the positive remarks, I just want to thank everybody for their support,” Sebastien said at a hastily organized news conference Wednesday. “With the racism remarks, to be honest, it's just the people how they were raised. My father and my mother told me that you should never judge people by how they look. You should judge them on the inside. And the saying that I go by is never judge a book by its cover.”

On his Twitter account @selcharrodeoro, he said, “Please do not pay attention to the negative people. I am an American living the American dream. This is part of the American life.”

Mayor Julián Castro offered his own words of support on his Facebook page, telling Sebastien “don't let a few negative voices get you down. You are a true talent and you represent the best of our nation's future!”

Sebastien De La Cruz is a young mariachi singer who sang the Star Spangled Banner before the Miami Heat at San Antonio Spurs NBA Championship series game at the AT&T Center on Tuesday. He puts on his boots for a photo shoot at home on June 12, 2013. Sebastien describes himself as a "proud American." less

Sebastien De La Cruz is a young mariachi singer who sang the Star Spangled Banner before the Miami Heat at San Antonio Spurs NBA Championship series game at the AT&T Center on Tuesday. He puts on his boots ... more

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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Sebastien De La Cruz arrives home after a day with his family doing media interviews and other appearances on Wednesday, June 12, 2013, the day after he sang the Star Spangled Banner before the Miami Heat at San Antonio Spurs NBA Championship series game at the AT&T Center. Sebastien describes himself as a "proud American." less

Sebastien De La Cruz arrives home after a day with his family doing media interviews and other appearances on Wednesday, June 12, 2013, the day after he sang the Star Spangled Banner before the Miami Heat at ... more

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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Sebastien De La Cruz is a young mariachi singer who sang the Star Spangled Banner before the Miami Heat at San Antonio Spurs NBA Championship series game at the AT&T Center on Tuesday. He stands for a portrait at home on Wednesday, June 12, 2013. Sebastien describes himself as a "proud American." less

Sebastien De La Cruz is a young mariachi singer who sang the Star Spangled Banner before the Miami Heat at San Antonio Spurs NBA Championship series game at the AT&T Center on Tuesday. He stands for a portrait ... more

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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Sebastien De La Cruz, 11, sings the national anthem before during the Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the Spurs and the Miami Heat at the AT&T Center on Tuesday, June 11, 2013.

Sebastien De La Cruz, 11, sings the national anthem before during the Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the Spurs and the Miami Heat at the AT&T Center on Tuesday, June 11, 2013.

Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News

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The San Antonio Spurs stand during the national anthem before taking on the Miami Heat in Game Three of the 2013 NBA Finals at the AT&T Center on June 11, 2013, in San Antonio.

The San Antonio Spurs stand during the national anthem before taking on the Miami Heat in Game Three of the 2013 NBA Finals at the AT&T Center on June 11, 2013, in San Antonio.

Photo: Mike Ehrmann, Getty Images

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Sebastian De La Cruz, 11, sings the national anthem before during the Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the Spurs and the Miami Heat at the AT&T Center on Tuesday, June 11, 2013.

Sebastian De La Cruz, 11, sings the national anthem before during the Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the Spurs and the Miami Heat at the AT&T Center on Tuesday, June 11, 2013.

Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News

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Sebastien De La Cruz, a finalist on "America's Got Talent", is in Miss Pleak's 5th grade class at Salinas Elementary School in Judson ISD, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012. He sits next to Reyes Diaz, left.

Sebastien De La Cruz, a finalist on "America's Got Talent", is in Miss Pleak's 5th grade class at Salinas Elementary School in Judson ISD, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012. He sits next to Reyes Diaz, left.

Photo: BOB OWEN, San Antonio Express-News

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Sebastien De La Cruz, 8 years old, belts out a traditional song at a press conference to kick-off San Antonio's 16th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza, at St. Anthony Hotel, Monday, Nov. 29, 2010.

Sebastien De La Cruz, 8 years old, belts out a traditional song at a press conference to kick-off San Antonio's 16th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza, at St. Anthony Hotel, Monday, Nov. 29, 2010.

Photo: BOB OWEN, E-N/File

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Nine-year-old Sebastien De La Cruz has been invited to perform Jan. 14-15 at a special "America's Got Talent" audition in Austin.

Nine-year-old Sebastien De La Cruz has been invited to perform Jan. 14-15 at a special "America's Got Talent" audition in Austin.

Photo: Courtesy Photo

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Sebastien De La Cruz: Budding actor.

Sebastien De La Cruz: Budding actor.

Photo: Jeanne Jakle

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Photo: NBC

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Eva Longoria watches the monitor as Sebastien De La Cruz does a fabulous first take on NBC's 'Telenovela.'

Eva Longoria watches the monitor as Sebastien De La Cruz does a fabulous first take on NBC's 'Telenovela.'

THE BACHELORETTE - "Episode 1105" - Ten men are treated to a visit by Sebastian De La Cruz, a delightful 13-year-old Mariachi superstar, and his band El Charro De Oro. A bunch of nervous bachelors try their hand at writing their own Mariachi songs and performing them in front of a cheering crowd. One man's badly sung love ballad captures Kaitlyn's heart. But the after party mood is soured when the bachelors continue to harass her about why Nick is still there, on "The Bachelorette," MONDAY, JUNE 15 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Felicia Graham)
EL CHARRO DE ORO, JUSTIN, SEBASTIAN DE LA CRUZ, KAITLYN BRISTOWE less

THE BACHELORETTE - "Episode 1105" - Ten men are treated to a visit by Sebastian De La Cruz, a delightful 13-year-old Mariachi superstar, and his band El Charro De Oro. A bunch of nervous bachelors try their ... more

Photo: Felicia Graham, ABC

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Photo: Sebastien De La Cruz

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Sebastien De La Cruz sang National Anthem at space shuttle launch.

Sebastien De La Cruz sang National Anthem at space shuttle launch.

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Sebastien and his dad, Juan De La Cruz.

Sebastien and his dad, Juan De La Cruz.

Photo: Jeanne Jakle

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Sebastien De La Cruz singing 'New York, New York', his crowd-pleasing number that got him to the semifinals of 'AMERICA'S GOT TALENT -- (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)

Sebastien De La Cruz singing 'New York, New York', his crowd-pleasing number that got him to the semifinals of 'AMERICA'S GOT TALENT -- (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)

Photo: NBC, Virginia Sherwood/NBC

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Photo: NBC

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Wowing the 'Talent' judges with band, dancers and a strong version of 'Granada.'

Wowing the 'Talent' judges with band, dancers and a strong version of 'Granada.'

Sebastien De La Cruz, a finalist on "America's Got Talent", gets a research book from his teacher Miss Pleak, in his 5th grade class at Salinas Elementary School in Judson ISD, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012.

Sebastien De La Cruz, a finalist on "America's Got Talent", gets a research book from his teacher Miss Pleak, in his 5th grade class at Salinas Elementary School in Judson ISD, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012.

Photo: BOB OWEN, San Antonio Express-News

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Sebastien De La Cruz, a finalist on "America's Got Talent", works on an assignment in Miss Pleak's 5th grade class at Salinas Elementary School in Judson ISD, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012.

Sebastien De La Cruz, a finalist on "America's Got Talent", works on an assignment in Miss Pleak's 5th grade class at Salinas Elementary School in Judson ISD, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012.

Sebastien De La Cruz, center, looks at books with his brothers Job, left, and Jacob De La Cruz, twins, as they wait for their ride home after school at Salinas Elementary School in Judson ISD, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012. less

Sebastien De La Cruz, center, looks at books with his brothers Job, left, and Jacob De La Cruz, twins, as they wait for their ride home after school at Salinas Elementary School in Judson ISD, Tuesday, Sept. ... more

Photo: BOB OWEN, San Antonio Express-News

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Sebastien De La Cruz, a finalist on "America's Got Talent", pulls out some crayons as he works on a class project in Miss Pleak's 5th grade class at Salinas Elementary School in Judson ISD, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012. less

Sebastien De La Cruz, a finalist on "America's Got Talent", pulls out some crayons as he works on a class project in Miss Pleak's 5th grade class at Salinas Elementary School in Judson ISD, Tuesday, Sept. ... more

Photo: BOB OWEN, San Antonio Express-News

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San Antonio's little mariachi singer Sebastien De La Cruz will sing his heart out for audience votes on his firs live broadcast of "America's Got Tallent" Tuesday night on NBC.

San Antonio's little mariachi singer Sebastien De La Cruz will sing his heart out for audience votes on his firs live broadcast of "America's Got Tallent" Tuesday night on NBC.

Bryanna Rich, 10 and Sebastien De La Cruz, 9 talk during a a press conference on Monday Nov. 28, 2011, announcing the 17th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza. Both children performed songs during the press conference. less

Bryanna Rich, 10 and Sebastien De La Cruz, 9 talk during a a press conference on Monday Nov. 28, 2011, announcing the 17th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza. Both children performed songs during the press ... more

Sebastien De La Cruz, who sang before Game 3, stands outside his home with his mother, Stacy.

Sebastien De La Cruz, who sang before Game 3, stands outside his home with his mother, Stacy.

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Damien Velasco, 22, of San Antonio adopts a whole new look by wearing a Spurshead T-shirt.

Damien Velasco, 22, of San Antonio adopts a whole new look by wearing a Spurshead T-shirt.

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Little S.A. singer proves he is a class act

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A barrage of tweets Tuesday night included insults and disparaging language aimed at Mexican American immigrants.

The websites Public Shaming and With Leather collected many of the negative remarks, which included: “You really had a Mexican sing the national anthem? Go to hell San Antonio” and “Is this the American National Anthem or the Mexican Hat Dance? Get this lil kid out of here.”

Andrew Festa, director of media relations and social media at St. Mary's University, said pregame excitement and trash talk can devolve into all kinds of ignorant things.

“Sadly,” he noted, “this innocent, talented little kid got thrown into that mix just for doing what he loves.”

Fans quickly took to Sebastien's defense. Ray Gonzales (@KensandMadsDad) posted a YouTube clip of Sebastien's performance with a retweet request “to show support and love to Sebastien,” while Alexandra Castro (@AlexxxCastro) posted: “Sebastian de la cruz (sic), you are perfect and have already gone further in life than the people that are saying ugly things about you!”

Sebastien, who has appeared on NBC's “America's Got Talent,” was a last minute replacement at Tuesday's game, subbing for former Hootie & the Blowfish front man Darius Rucker.

Sebastien's mom, Stacy De La Cruz, said her son knew of the harsh remarks and told her not to cry about them, but instead to save her tears for joy when he sings.

“I'd rather shed more happy tears than sad tears,” she said. “But I will say this: As a mom, a parent, I'm going to be overprotective. I'm going to look over my shoulder, over their shoulder. We have four children. I'm going to be looking over all of them. (But as for those negative) words, it's always that saying, 'Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt.'”

Several San Antonio civil rights activists and academics had their own take on the racist online comments spurred by Sebastien's emotional delivery of the national anthem.

While proud of Sebastien, they said crude reactions to his appearance on national television Tuesday night — clad in a mariachi traje — reflected a wider anger aimed at Latinos and immigrants, and over immigration reform legislation in Congress.“I was very proud of him,” said Jaime Martinez, founder and chairman of the César E. Chávez Foundation. “But it shows we still have a long way to go. There's still a lot of bigotry in this country.”

“The Star-Spangled Banner doesn't just belong to white people,” he said. “It belongs to all of us.”

Irma Mireles, a civil rights activist since the 1960s Chicano Movement, said she was horrified by the tweets.

“At first, I got angry,” she said. “Then I realized these are ignorant people, and they're afraid of the future, and the future is brown.”